Hinged locking device



Oct. 18, 1949. A. c. RADTKE HI NGED LOCKING DEVICE Filed April 27, 19482 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. QQQZZeJZ 67%(22'7f6 PM tained.

Patented Oct. 18, 1949 HINGED LOCKING DEVICE Adelbert C. Radtke, OakPark, Ill., assignor to International Harvester Company, a corporationof New Jersey Application April 2'1, 1948, Serial No. 23,552

' 8 Claims. (01. 74-535) This invention relates to a locking mechanism.More specifically this invention relates to a locking device for lockingand unlocking a pair of hinged members.

In certain constructions such as in clutch mechanisms, hinged closuredevices, etc., it is desirable to provide hinged locking members whichmay be engaged in a locking position and disengaged by moving one of thehinged members successively in the same direction. In clutch mechanismsthe hinged members are usually provided to engage and disengage theclutch. In closure constructions the hinged members serve to lock aclosure member in various positions. Generally such a hinged lockingdevice construction includes a stationary member having a cutoutportion. A hinged member is pivoted to the stationary member andincludes a triangular wheel which has three apices designed to engageportions of the cut-out for locking the members respectively in a fixedposition. In use it has been found that a triangular wheel of this typeworks satisfactorily for only a short period of time. The apices of atriangular wheel have but a small surface which engages the cut-outportion and these apices soon become worn and effective locking-actiontherefore is no longer ob- It is therefore the principal object of thisinvention to provide an improved locking mechanism for a pair of hingedmembers, said locking member being designed to provide for positivelocking action despite conditions resulting from wear over a period oftime.

Still another object is to provide an improved locking mechanism for apair of hinged members, said locking mechanism being of a type which isactuated to lock and unlock said members respectively by moving one ofsaid hinged members successively in the same direction.

A still further object is to provide an improved locking arrangement fora pair of hinged members, said locking arrangement including astationary member having an irregular cut-out, and a hinged arm having arectangular wheel, said wheel having opposed concave and convex surfacesadapted to cooperate with portions of the cut-out for respectivelylocking the hinged members and the stationary member in a fixedposition.

These and other objects will become more readily apparent from a readingof the description when examined in conjunction with the drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the hinged 2 locking device shownin cooperation with a clutch throw-out mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view similar to Fig. 1 showing the hingedlocking members in an unlocked position with respect to the clutchthrowout mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a detail view showing a first and second position of thehinged locking mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing a third and fourth locking position ofsaid hinged members.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a fifth and sixth position of the hingedmembers.

Fig. 6 is a detail View showing the hinged members in the process ofreturning to their initial starting position.

A hinged locking device is generally designated by the referencecharacter Ill. The hinged locking device as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2is connected to a beam II and is in cooperation with a clutch throw-outmechanism generally designated by the reference character l2. A pair ofvertically spaced supports l3 and I have mounted thereon, respectively,bearings l5 and 6. The bearings l5 and I6 support for rotation thereon aline shaft H. A sprocket 8 is mounted for rotation on the shaft I1 andhas provided at one end a clutch member l9 having a clutch face 20. Aclutch member 2|, having a clutch face 22, is supported on the lineshaft l1 and is adapted to move longitudinally with respect thereto. Theclutch member 2| is keyed for rotation with the shaft H by means of akey 23. The key 23 is in sliding engagement with respect to a sleeve 24which has at one end a collar 25. A spring 26 is positioned between thecollar 25 and the bearing member |6 for normally urging the clutchmember 2| into engagement with the clutch member l9.

A vertical throw-out member 21 is adapted 'to engage the collar 25. Thethrow-out member 21 includes a cam surface 28 which is in engagementwith the collar 25. The cam surface 28 upon upward movement of theclutch throw-out member 21 engages the collar 25 thereby compressing thespring 26 and disconnecting the clutch member 2| from the clutch member|9. An upper guide 29 and a lower guide 29' serve to maintain thevertical position of the throwout member 21. It can therefore be seenthat by moving the member 21 upwardly the cam surface 28 serves to movethe clutch member 2| away from the clutch member l9, whereupon turningmovement of the shaft I1 is no longer imparted to the sprocket l8.

The hinged locking device In includes a sta- 3 tionary member 31! whichis supported on the beam II. The stationary member 36 includes anirregular cut-out portion 3|. Immediately above the irregular cut-outportion 3| there is provided a substantially vertical inclined convexcam surface 32. The cam surface 32 and a surface of the cut-out portionconverge in a rounded apex 33 formed at the upper end of the cut-outportion 3!. The lower end of the cut-out portion 3| is provided with arounded projecting portion 34 as best shown in Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive. Ahinged member 35 has a first arm 3.6 and a second arm 37 extendingangularly with respect to the arm 36. The arms extend outwardly withrespect to a fixed pivotal connection 38 connecting said hinged member35 to the stationary member 30.

A link 39 connects the end of I the hinged member 35 to the clutchthrow-out member 21.

A four-sided or rectangular locking wheel 40 is pivotally connected tothe arm 3'? by means of a pivot 4|. The rectangular locking wheel G0includes two opposed large concave surfaces 42 and 43' .and a pair ofsmaller opposed concave surfaces 44 and 45. A rounded portion or apex455 is provided between each respective concave sur face. As best shownin Figs. 1 and 2, the end of the hinged member 35 is also connected to acable 41 which is trained about an idler pulley 4 8 pivoted on a beam49.

As shownin Fig. 2, the clutch members l9 and 2| are in engagement withone another and rotation of the shaft I! will be imparted to thesprocket l8. In order to disengage the clutch member 2! from the clutchmember ill, the clutch throw-out member 21 is moved upwardly, whereuponthe cam surface 28 engages the collar 25 thereby moving the clutchmember 2! laterally against the compression of the spring 26. By pullingon the cable 41 the hinged member 35 is initially moved in acounter-clockwise direction. The positions taken by the hinged membersis best shown in Figs; 3 to 6 inclusive.

As the hinged member 35 is moved in a counter-elockwise direction, thewheel 40 is moved, whereupon the concavesurface 43 is moved away fromthe convex cam surface 32. As shown in the broken lines of Fig. 3 thewheel 48 is moved whereupon one of the rounded inner portions 46 of thewheel comes into engagement with the rounded projecting portion 34. Thewheel in is thereupon turned until the concave surface 45 is in matingengagement with the rounded or pro jecting portion 34. The operatorthereupon releases his hold upon the cable ll and the spring 26 urgesthe collar 25 against the cam surface 28 of the clutch throw-out member2! thereby forcing said member downwardly. This clutch throw-out membermay also be constructed to move downwardly under the direction ofgravity or other means, it not being necessary to utilize the energy ofthe spring for this purpose. As the clutch throw-out member 21 movesdownwardly, the hinged member 35 moves in a clockwise direetion untilthe concave surface M comes into mating engagement with the rounded apex33, as best shown by the dotted line position of Fig. 4, whereupon thehinged member 35 is locked with respect to the stationary member 30. Thelocked position, as also shown in Fig. 1, shows the clutch throw-outmember 21 in its up or disengaging position.

When it is desired to re-engage the clutch member 2! with the clutchmember l9, the operator again pulls on the cable 4! in a direction shownby the arrow. The hinged member 35 therefore again moves in acounter-clockwise direction as best shown in Fig. 5. As the hinge memberthus moves, one of the rounded portions 46 of the wheel Alt engages oneof the surfaces of the rounded apex 33 whereupon the wheel is revolvedand the concave surface 42 is placed into mating engagement with theconvex surface 32. It can be seen that in any one operation the wheeltil is revolved one half revolution. By pullin successively on the cablell in the same direction the hinged members can therefore be locked andunlocked at will thereby engaging and disengaging the clutch members. a

It is especially important to note that the engagement of the concavesurface 44 with the apices 33 provides for an effective lock; iheconcave surface 44 is provided at each end with the rounded surfaces 4,6and it is clearly apparent that these surfaces may be subjected to wearover a period of time without adversely affecting the locking action ofthe wheel All. The shape of the wheel fill and the relation of theconcave surfaces permits regular and continued use, the wearing of thesurfaces of said wheel not in any way hindering the operation of thelocking mechanism.

It is to be understood that the use of the locking mechanism for lockingand disengaging a clutch is merely for the purpose of disclosure and isby no means limited to such an operation. The hinge locking device maybe utilized in any mechanism where such a mechanical locking action isneeded.-

It is to be understood that changes may be made in the constructionwhich do not depart from the spirit of the invention as disclosed northe spirit thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A locking device; comprising, a stationary member; a hinge memberpivotally connected to the stationary member for pivotal movement abouta fixed pivot; a rectangular wheel connected for pivotal movementrelative to said hinge member, said wheel having two relatively largeconcave surfaces positioned at two' opposed sides of the wheel and tworelatively smaller concave -surfaces positioned at the other two opposedsides of said wheel; said stationary member having an irregular cut-outportion arranged to cooperate with the concave surfaces of said wheel;means for rotating said wheel into two successive positions whereby saidwheel cooper-- ates with said cut-out portion to relatively lock saidhinge member with respect to the stationary member, and means forfurther rotating said wheel into two successive positions whereby saidwheel is disengaged from cooperation with said cut-out portion therebyunlocking said hinge member and returning the same to its initialstartin position.

2. A locking device; comprising, a stationary member; a hinge memberpivotally connected to the stationary member for pivotal movement abouta fixed pivot; a rectangular wheel connected for pivotal movementrelative to said hinge member. said wheel having two relatively largeconcave surfaces positioned at two opposed sides of the wheel and tworelatively smaller concave surfaces positioned at the other two opposedsides of said wheel; said stationary member having an irregular cut-outportion arranged to cooperate with the concave surfacesof said wheel;means for rotating said wheel into two:35-11@locl-ririgthieving-comprising; a stationary c 1membr; aihinge"member pivotally connected to the stationary member ifor pivotalmovement about a fixed-pivot 'a wheel =pivotally connected to saidliinge member, 'said wheel having "four having a" cut-out portion havinga plurality of irregular *sur'faces arranged to engagethe oomnavesur'fa'ces of said 'wheel; means "for moving said. "'hinge"-=member-in"a first direction, *thereby rotating said wheel into engagement withtheirf'regular' surfaces of said'cut-out portion; "and biased means for*moving said hinge member in el-"second direction whereby said wheelco-acts withisaid Stationary member for retaining said hingemember in arelative locked position.

4. A-loc'kinjg device comprising; a stationary 'meniberxsaid stationarymember having a cutout portion; a "convex cam surface on 'said "sta-*tionary-"membene surface of said cut-*out and said ;cam surfaceconverging in a first rounded I apex? amounded portion .onsaidcut-outportion, said rounded ,portion including sloping "surfaces'converg'ing; at -a second rounded apex; a hinge "member'connected tosaid stationary ,memb er for pivntah movementabout :a fixed pivot; awheel-1 connected'for-pivotal"movement to said hinge member,saidmheehhaving opposed concave surfaces each being adapted to mate withthe contvexzsur'face ofxsaid oam-during revolution o'f said wheel, saidwheel also including first and-second substantially -.'-smaller concavesurfaces, corner portions'between each concave surface on saidwheelysaid corner portionsmeing adapted to en- "gage-said -"=stationarymember for rotating said wheel upon movementof said hinge member, meansfor moving said hinge' member in a first direction thereby moving saidwheel and said first smaller concave surface into mating engagement withthe rounded surface of said second apex and means for moving said hingein a second direction for moving said wheel and said second concavesurface into mating engagement with the surface of said first apexthereby looking said hinge member in a locked position.

5. A locking device comprising; a stationary member, said stationarymember having a cutout portion; a convex cam surface on said stationarymember, a surface of said cut-out and said cam surface converging in afirst rounded apex; a rounded portion on said ut-out portion, saidrounded portion including sloping surfaces converging at a secondrounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationary member forpivotal movement about a fixed pivot; a wheel connected for pivotalmovement to said hinge member, said wheel having large opposed concavesurfaces each being adapted to mate with the convex surface of said camduring revolution of said wheel, said wheel also including first andsecond substantially smaller concave surfaces, corner portions betweeneach concave surface on said wheel, said corner portions being adaptedto engage said stationary member for rotating said wheel upon movementof said hinge member, first means for moving said hinge member in afirst direction thereby moving said wheel and said first smaller concavesurface into mating engagement with the rounded surface of second apex,resiliently biased means for moving said hinge member in a seconddirection for moving a'locked positionythe firstmeans being arranged to=again'*movesaid hinge member'xin'ithe, first direction whereby said'wheel is rotated :andsaid second concave surface is moved angularlywith respect -to said first apex, said resiliently :biased I).-meansthereupon operating to move said hinge concave side surfaces;saidstationary member lo member again in asecond direction, therebyaotating said wheel whereby one of the large iconcave surfaces of'saidwheel is'in mating relation with said cam surface and 'said wheel is 'inthe unlocked position.

- rounded apex; a projectingportion on the other "end ofsaid :cut-"outportion, said proje'cti'ng poritiomincluding sloping surfaces convergingat -a second rounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationarymember forpivotal movement about *a fixed pivot: --a wheel-connectedfor' pivotal 'movementito 'said'hinge member, saidwheel'having two opposed large concave surfaces each'being adapted tomate with the convex "surface'of ,said'cam'iduring one half revolutionof said wheel, said wheel "also "includin first and second-substantially"smaller concave surfaces, corner por- "tions'between 'each'concavesurface on said wheel,

said corner portions being adapted *to engage portions of saidstationary member for rotating said wheel upon "movement of saidhingem'emb'er, first' means "for moving said hinge member in a"counter-clockwise direction l thereby "moving said'wheel and -saidfirstsmaller concave surface into mating'engagement withtl'ie rounded-sur-"face of i said second apex; second meansfor moving 'said *hinge "in aclockwise direction for :mov-

ing said wheel and said second concave surface into mating engagementwith the surface of said first apex thereby lockin said hinge member ina locked position, the first means being arranged to move said hingemember in a counter-clockwise direction whereby said wheel is rotatedand said second concave surface is moved angularly with respect to saidfirst apex, said second means thereupon operating to move said hingemember again in a clockwise direction, thereby rotating said wheelwhereby one of the larger concave surfaces of said wheel is in matingrelation with said convex cam surface and said wheel is in the unlockedposition.

'7. A locking device comprising; a stationary member, said stationarymember having an irregular cut-out portion; a substantially verticallyinclined convex cam surface adjacent one end of said cut-out portion; asurface of said cut-out and said cam surface converging in a firstrounded apex; a projecting portion on the other end of said cut-outportion, said projecting portion including sloping surfaces convergingat a second rounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationarymember for pivotal movement about a fixed pivot; a wheel connected forpivotal movement to said hinge member, said wheel having two opposedlarge concave surfaces, each being adapted to mate with the convex camsurface during one half revolution of said wheel, said wheel alsoincluding first and second substantially smaller concave surfaces,rounded corner portions between each concave surface on said wheel, saidcorner portions being adapted to en- 7 gage said cut-out and projectingportions for rotating said Wheel upon movement of said hinge member,first means for moving said hinge membar in a counter-clockwisedirection thereby moving said wheel and said first smaller concavesurface into mating engagement with the rounded surface of said secondapex, second means for moving said hinge member in a clockwise directionfor moving said wheel and said second concave surface into matingengagement with the surface of said first apex thereby locking saidhinge member in a locked position, the first I means being arranged toagain move said hinge member a counter-clockwise direction whereby saidwheel is rotated and said second concave surface is moved angularly withrespect to said first apex, said second means thereupon operating tomove said hinge member again in a clockwise direction, thereby rotatingsaid wheel whereby one of the large concave surfaces of said wheel isagain placed into mating relation with said cam surface and said hingemember and said stationary member are respectively in an unlockedposition.

8. A locking device comprising; a stationary member, said stationarymember having an irregular cut-out portion; a substantially verticallyinclined convex cam surface adjacent one end of said cut out portion; asurface of said cut-out' and said cam surface converging in a firstround-' ed apex; a projecting portion on the other end of said cut-outportion, said projecting portion including sloping surfaces convergingat a second rounded apex; a hinge member connected to said stationarymember for pivotal movement about a fixed pivot, said hinge memberhaving arm portions extending outwardly at either sides of said fixedpivot; a wheel connected for pivotal move ment to one of said armportions, said wheel having two opposed concave surfaces, each beingadapted to mate with the convex cam surface during one half revolutionof said wheel, said wheel also including first and second substantiallysmaller concave surfaces, rounded corner portions between each concavesurface on said wheel, said corner portions being adapted to engage saidcut-out and projecting portions on the stationary member for engagingand rotatin said wheel upon movement of said hinge member in acounter-clockwise direction thereby moving said wheel and said firstsmaller concave surface into mating engagement with the rounded surfaceof said second apex, resiliently biased means 'for moving said hingemember in a clockwise direction whereby the wheel engages the cut-outportion and moves said second smaller concave surface into matingengagement with the surface of said first apex thereby locking saidhinge member in a locked position, means for unlocking said hinge memberincluding means for moving said hinge member in a counterclockwisedirection whereby said wheel engages a projecting portion on thestationary member and is rotated and said second concave surface ismoved angularly with respect to said first apex, said resiliently biasedmeans thereupon operating to move said hinge member again in a clockwisedirection, thereby rotating said wheel whereby'one of the concavesurfaces of said wheel is again placed in mating relation with said camsurface and said wheel is in an unlocked position.

ADELBERT C. RADTKE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS

